Closing device for windows.



No. 782,729. PATENTED FEB. 14, 1905.

' W. S. DOE.

CLOSING DEVICE FOR WINDOWS.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 29.1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITH/8855: INVENTOR By M w ATTORNEYS No. 782,729. PATENTED FEB. 14, 1-905.

W. s. DOB. CLOSING DEVICE FOR WINDOWS.

APPLIUATION FILED OUT. 29.1904.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVE/VTUR jwama zafiu flae ble connection.

UNITED STATES Patented February 14., 1905.

PATENT OEEIcE.

HALF TO DAVID PERRY, OF JERSEY CITY, NE'W JERSEY.

CLOSING DEVICE FOR WINDOWS- SPECIFICATION formingpart of Iletters Patent No. 782,729, dated February 14, 1905.

Application filed October 29, 1904:. Serial No. 230,500-

I description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for automatically closing a window when it begins to rain.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement as applied. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the fastening device for the flexi- Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a window provided with'a modified form of the improvement. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional plan View of the drum-casing shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the hygroscopic link.

On the lower cross-bar of the window-sash A to be closed is secured a retaining device B for the head C of a flexible connection C, preferably in the form of a steel band, tape, or the like winding on a spring-controlled drum D, journaled in a suitable casing E, let into the window-sill A, as plainly indicated in Figs. 2 and 8. The drum D is pressed on by a spring D, fastened at one end to the rim of the drum and secured at its other end to a fixed shaft D on which the drum D is mounted to turn, the said shaft D being securely held in the sides of the casing E. On one of the flanges of the drum D is secured or formed a ratchet-wheel D adapted to be engaged by a rod F, forming part of a locking device for the drum D, so as to hold the same against rotation when the spring D is wound up on pulling at the flexible connection Cthat is, when raising the window-sash A and drawing the flexible connection along, as indicated in Fig. 1. The rod F is mounted to slide transversely in a casing F, secured to the windowsill A, and the said rod is pressed on by a spring F to normally hold the inner end of the rod out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel D the said rod when in engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchetwheel D serving to lock the drum D against rotation, thus allowing the window-sash to stay in an open position for the time being.

The outer end of the rod Fis provided with a hook F connected bya hygroscopic link G with a rod H, attached to the window-sill, as plainly indicated in Fig. 1, the said hygroscopic link G being formed of a body Cr, made ot-a fabric material, the fibers of which are capable of dissociating when the link is under tension and when subjected to the action of water. The ends of the body G are provided with strong non-tearable eyes Gr and GS, of which one is hooked onto the hook F and the other on the rod H. The link G when in position, as shown in Fig. 1, serves to hold the' rod F in an innermost position-that is, in engagement with the ratchet-wheel D -to prevent the latter from rotating and to hold the spring F under tension.

In case it begins to rain the rain-water in coming in contact with the body G of the link G causes the fibers of the said body to immediately dissociate, whereby the link is torn apart, especially as the link is under tension exerted by the spring-pressed rod F, connected with the outer end of the link Cr. As soon as the link G breaks or begins to tear apart the rod F moves outward, and its inner end now moves out of engagement with the corresponding tooth of the ratchetwheel D to unup spring D to rotate the drum D to wind up the flexible connection C, whereby the latter pulls the sash A down into a closed position. lock the latter, and thereby allow the wound- The rod F is provided with an enlargement F, serving as an abutment for the outer end of the spring F and also serving to limit the outward-sliding movement of the rod by the abutment abutting against a closing-plate F for the casing F.

The flexible connection C extends through a slot in the top of the casing E, as plainly indicated in Fig. 3, and the head C of the flexible connection is provided with a neck or annular recess O adapted to be engaged by the clamping-arms B of the retaining device B, the said clamping-arms being fitted in a casing B let into the lower cross-bar of the window-sash A. The clamping-arms B are spring-pressed and provided-With finger-pieces B extending beyond the inner face of the window-sash to allow the operator to take hold of the fingerpieces with a view to opening the clampingarms whenever it is desired to release the head C, and consequently the flexible connection 0. I

The head of the flexible connection C is provided with a tubular extension C pressed on by a spring 0*, projecting beyond the bottom of the lower rail of the window-sash A, so that when the sash A moves into a closed position the extension C first comes in contact with the window-sill to cause the extension to slide upward against the tension of its undue jar when moving into a closed position.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the locking device for the drum D is in the form of a pin K, slidable transversely in the drum-casing L, and the said pin K is adapted to be pressed on by a flat spring J, connected with one end of a coil-spring I, engaged at its other end by one of the eyes of the hygroscopic link Gr, connected with its other eye to the fixed rod H. When the several parts are in the position shown in Fig. 6, the springarm J is swung outward by the tension of the spring I to hold the pin K in engagement with the ratchet-wheel D of the drum, and when the link G is torn by the action of the rain-water and the tension of the spring I, as previousiy explained, then the arm'J is released, and consequently presses on the pin K to move the same out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel D to release the drum and allow the spring D thereof to rotate the drum to wind up the flexible connection (J, thus closing the window-sash.

The hygroscopic link G can be very cheaply manufactured of loose-fiber paper subjected to a chemical bath, so as to render the link sufficiently strong when dry for holding the locking device in a locked position against the tension of the spring and to allow the fibers to readily dissociate on becoming wet and while under the tension of the spring.

As the link G can be cheaply manufactured, a new one can be readily placed in position after one has been torn.

The device is very simple and durable in construction, is not liable to get out of order,

and is always in proper position to immedi ately close the window when it begins torain, so that the window is automatically closed and the rain shut out from the room.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A window-closing device having closing means for the window and means for bolding. the said closing means locked under tension and for releasing the same automatically when the locking means is acted on by moisture. V

2. A window-closing device comprising a flexible connection for attachment to a window-sash, a spring-drum for the said connection to wind on, and means for normally looking the said drum against rotation and for releasing the drum when acted on by moisture.

3. A window-closing device comprising a flexible connection for attachment to a window-sash, a spring-drum on which winds the said connection, a locking device for holding the said drum against rotation in one direction, and a hygroscopically-controlled releasing device for releasing the said locking device to allow the drum to rotate and the flexible connection to wind upon the drum to pull the window-sash shut.

4. The combination with a window-sash and a retaining device thereon, of a flexible connection adapted to be engaged at one end by the said retaining device, a spring-drum on which winds the said flexible connection, a locking device for holding the said drum against rotation, and a hygroscopi'cally-controlled releasing device for the said locking device.

5. A window-closing device comprising a flexible connection for attachment to a window-sash, a spring-drum on which winds the said connection, a locking device for holding the said drum against rotation in one direction, a releasing device for releasing the said locking device, to allow the drum to rotate and the flexible connection to wind upon the drum to pull the window-sash shut, the said releasing device being controlled by a spring-controlled .member for holding the drum against rotation,

and a link fixed at one end and connected at the other end with the said member to hold the link under tension, the link consisting of fabric, the fibers of which are capable of dis sociating on wetting the material and while the link is under tension.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a releasing-link for window-closing devices, consisting of a body of a fabric, the fibers of which are capable of dissociating when the link is under tension and subjected to the action of water.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a releasing-link for window-closing devices, consisting of a body of a fabric, the flbers of which are capable of dissociating when the link is under tension and subjected to the action of Water, and eyes at the ends of the link and of a In testirnony whereofI have signed my name practically non-tearing material. to this specification in the presence of two sub- IO 8. The combination with a Window-closing scribing Witnesses. device of means controlling the said device, Y 1

r 4 5 the said means normally holding the closlng ALTER SLOTT device in an inactive position and being sensi- Witnesses: tive to hygroscopic changes for releasing the GEORGE LESTER PERRY,

said closing device. WALTER MUNEORD. 

